Vietnamese kids on June 30 joined other children from around the world in a special three-half football tournament – the main activities of the “Football for Hope” festival  which is an official event of the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia.

Vietnam's Ha Danh Du (in blue) at a match within the “Football for Hope” festival 

The matches, held at Football Park on Red Square, have no refugees and no gender discrimination, with the game’s rules decided by participating kids and results based on not only goals but also players’ behaviours.

FIFA's Head of Sustainability & Diversity Federico Addiechi said that the event offers a chance for FIFA to promote the strength of the sport.

Vietnam is selected to the event as it has successfully carried out a community football programme.

Le Quang Dao, head of the Vietnamese delegation, said that the delegation’s mission is to promote Vietnam’s culture and spread a message that the mission of football is a tool to develop and solve social issues.

On July 1, Vietnamese kids are scheduled to watch a match between host Russia and Spain at Luzhniki stadium.

The four Vietnamese children, including two boys and two girls, were chosen from the Xuan Phu welfare centre for disadvantaged children and orphans.

Forty-eight participating delegations are joining collective activities, including touring Moscow city and watching World Cup football matches in the round of eight at Luzhniki stadium.

The Football for Hope” festival will run from June 27 to July 3, featuring cultural exchanges, football training and sightseeing tours. -VNA